US3814562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum forming apparatus
Assignee: Plasti Vac Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-13
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-03-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for vacuum forming sheets of thermoplastic material in which first and second sheet supporting and transporting means are employed for moving sheets of thermoplastic material between a heating means and respective first and second vacuum forming means for heating and softening of the sheets by the heating means and thereafter vacuum forming by the respective vacuum forming means. The heating means includes a pair of spaced apart radiant heating units between which the sheets of thermoplastic material are moved by the sheet supporting and transporting means for heating and softening sheets from both sides thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 H Diamond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:56
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for vacuum forming sheets of thermoplastic material comprising stationary heating means for receiving, heating, and softening only a single sheet of thermoplastic material at any one time, first vacuum forming means positioned adjacent said heating means for vacuum forming softened sheets of thermoplastic material brought into operative association therewith, first sheet supporting and transporting means operatively associated with said first vacuum forming means and said heating means for supporting a sheet of thermoplastic material and transporting the same into and out of said heating means along a first direction and into operative association with said first vacuum forming means, second vacuum forming means positioned adjacent said heating means and laterally spaced from said first vacuum forming means for vacuum forming a softened sheet of thermoplastic material brought into operative association therewith, and second sheet supporting and transporting means operatively associated with said second vacuum forming means and said heating means for supporting a sheet of thermoplastic material and transporting the same into and out of said heating means along a second direction and into operative association with said second vacuum forming means, whereby said apparatus may be cyclically operated by heating and softening a first sheet while another previously heated and softened sheet is being vacuum formed on one of said first and second vacuum forming means, and then vacuum forming the first sheet on the other of said first and second vacuum forming means while another sheet is being heated and softened.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
245 words
An apparatus for vacuum forming sheets of thermoplastic material comprising stationary heating means for receiving, heating, and softening only a single sheet of thermoplastic material at any one time, first vacuum forming means positioned adjacent said heating means for vacuum forming softened sheets of thermoplastic material brought into operative association therewith, first sheet supporting and transporting means operatively associated with said first vacuum forming means and said heating means for supporting a sheet of thermoplastic material and transporting the same into and out of said heating means along a first direction and into operative association with said first vacuum forming means, second vacuum forming means positioned adjacent said heating means and laterally spaced from said first vacuum forming means for vacuum forming a softened sheet of thermoplastic material brought into operative association therewith, and second sheet supporting and transporting means operatively associated with said second vacuum forming means and said heating means for supporting a sheet of thermoplastic material and transporting the same into and out of said heating means along a second direction and into operative association with said second vacuum forming means, whereby said apparatus may be cyclically operated by heating and softening a first sheet while another previously heated and softened sheet is being vacuum formed on one of said first and second vacuum forming means, and then vacuum forming the first sheet on the other of said first and second vacuum forming means while another sheet is being heated and softened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means are positioned to transport the supported sheet into said heating means at substantially the same elevation such that only one supported sheet may be positioned in said heating means at the same time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises at least one generally horizontally disposed, radiant heater, and said first and second vacuum forming means each includes a generally horizontal forming surface adapted to support a forming mold thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said heating means is positioned at a higher elevation than each of said forming surfaces of said first and second vacuum forming means, and each of said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means includes means for transporting the sheets horizontally into and out of said heating means and vertically into and out of operative association with the associated vacuum forming means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means is positioned between said first and second vacuum forming means and said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means transport the supported sheet into said heating means from opposite directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means includes clamping frame means for clampingly supporting a sheet of thermoplastic material around the periphery thereof, and means mounting said clamping frame means for movement between said heating means and the corresponding vacuum forming means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said heating means and each of said first and second vacuum forming means are substantially horizontally disposed and said mounting means for said clamping frame means of each of said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means mounts said clamping frame means for vertical movement into and out of operative association with the corresPonding vacuum forming means and for horizontal movement into and out of said heating means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including means for moving each of said clamping frame means of each of said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means vertically between a lowered position in operative association with the corresponding vacuum forming means and a raised position for movement into and out of said heating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
184 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises substantially vertically spaced lower and upper radiant heating units defining a heating chamber therebetween located between and above the level of each of said first and second vacuum forming means, and wherein each of said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means comprises an elevator frame, a substantially horizontal clamping carriage for clamping one of said sheets of thermoplastic material therein and guided for movement into and out of said heating chamber on and relative to said elevator frame, means for raising and lowering said elevator frame with said carriage thereon in a path over the respective vacuum forming means between a lowered position closely adjacent said respective forming means and a raised position substantially horizontally aligned with said heating chamber whereby said carriage may be moved into and out of said heating chamber relative to said elevator frame while the latter occupies said raised position, and the range of movement of said elevator frame being such as to lower the sheet and said carriage thereon into engagement with said respective forming means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, including releasable restraining means between said elevator frame and said carriage of each of said first and second sheet supporting and transporting means for restraining said carriage against relative movement with respect to said elevator frame while said carriage is in substantially vertical alignment with said vacuum forming means and during movement of said elevator frame in said path over the respective vacuum forming means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |